EAST students from Dardanelle High School wanted to bring awareness of teen issues by reaching out to the student body through various methods last spring.

The projects were designed around concepts developed by the Teen Leadership Coalition, sponsored by the River Valley Prevention Coalition.

With assistance from the Dardanelle Police Department, Yell County emergency technicians, the Dardanelle Fire Department, the Yell County Mounted Patrol Rescue, the Yell County Coroner’s office, students Adrean Tucker, Tevin Barker, Kendie Weber, Katelyn Stanley, Magan Holmes, Colten Talley, Tyler Keith, Logan Carter, and Daniel Frost developed a presentation that was made to DHS juniors and seniors. Part of the presentation included a simulated mock wreck involving teens who were drinking and driving.

The wrecked vehicles were provided by Cogswell Motors. The presentation by Tucker and officer Lonnie Moore included a video presentation about consequences relating to alcoholism and drugs. The school day began with the students handing out “Smarties and Dum Dums” to drivers entering the school parking lot to address correct driving conditions.

EAST students Kendra Collins, Brandon Gutierrez, Paige Crow, Heath Edgell focused on texting and driving by developing a 27-day pledge encouraging students not to text and drive.

To motivate students to break the habit, people signing the pledge entered a drawing for a Walmart gift card. Each student also received a wrist bracelet stating “Texting Kills.” The bracelets were purchased with a grant provide by Walmart.